How I Was Set Free In Prison

From disaster to pastor, this is the real life story – my own personal testimony – of how I came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. I believe miracles still happen every day and the greatest miracle to me is that of human conversion

Fractured Childhood

I never knew my real father. My mother had many husbands and I was dumped at my aunt and uncle’s to live with when I was very young. My aunt and uncle already had a house full of their own children. They had seven children in all plus me and my bigger brother along with my aunt and uncle, this made 11 in one house. I ended up claiming the closet as my own bedroom. I didn’t know enough to feel sorry for myself as a young child. I remember that the only books that I loved where encyclopedias. When my mother finally did come for my brother and me, even if it was for a short time, we had a new step-father. In all those years and in all my mother’s different marriages, I never heard the phrase, “I love you.” I never heard any praise or encouragement but I did remember being screamed at, spit on, shouted at, and cussed out more than once. I also remember being beaten, being slammed to the floor, and one time I was “spanked” with a log from a stack of firewood. Once I suffered a fractured skull at age ten. I became so hardened over time that I never gave my mom the satisfaction of crying when I was beaten.

My aunt and uncle must have felt sorry for me, for when I was with them, they never raised a hand against me and they never yelled or screamed at me and they never told me that I was worthless. My mother lied to the school and I started kindergarten at age 4 and wouldn’t be 5 until my birthday in November. Today, most children whose birthday is in November and age is 5 would wait until next year and be 6. So I actually started school at 4 and I was always 1 to 2 years younger than all my classmates and needless to say, I struggled mightily in sports and academics. By the age of 16 I had graduated already but still being a minor I could only work on a farm.

God Resists the Proud

What an arrogant young boy I was when I left home at 16. I had such hostility that I often got into fights with men who were much older than I was. I couldn’t stand even the slightest insult. I flew off the handle at just about anything. I was a cocked gun with a trigger finger. I stole, I drank, and I used any drug that I could find. It seemed that I was taking life out on me and anyone who happened to be around. I lived with a guy that sold drugs and stole anything that was not tied down to support his drug habit. I tried cocaine, acid, marijuana, alcohol of all kinds and I even mixed drugs at times. It was amazing that I didn’t kill myself. I was at home one day and a police officer arrived at the house I was living in and said that he had a warrant for my friend and then he asked me my name. After I told him, he said that he had a warrant for me as well. So off to jail I went, this being the first of many trips to lockup.

After getting busted for yet another breaking and entering and possession of a controlled substance charge, I was taken before the judge who had gotten sick of looking at me and he sent me off to state prison. After serving there for about 2 years, I knew that I was getting ready to get out. The only person who had ever visited me…and I had only one visitor in those 3 years (1 in the county jail awaiting the transfer to the state prison and 2 while in prison), was my father-in-law. None of my actual relatives wanted to have anything to do with me and ironically, the only visitor I had was neither my family or my friends. I remember nearing my release that I had no home, no car, no job (not likely to find one either being a convicted felon), and apparently no family. I was so down that the only way I could look was up. I attempted a feeble prayer but thought, who was I? I saw the trustee bringing books and at the very bottom of the stack there was a torn and tattered Bible. I asked him for it and signed to check it out.

But what a powerful testimony to the power of God, that someone so far down in the depths of a living hell on earth, could be lifted up so high.

God Gives Grace to the Humble

Ironies of ironies I found that the God of the Bible was the only true source of freedom. For me, it took prison to be set free. I opened the Bible up and read Psalm 22. Now this is what is called Scriptural roulette and I do not recommend it when you want to find answers in the Bible, but apparently God had planned this as a special circumstance and I didn’t know any better. If floored me what I read and I will give you some of the verses in this chapter that actually foretells of Christ’s torment and abandonment on the cross (I did not realize that at the time). Imagine what I felt when I read some of these verses in Psalm 22. I thought that they were written for me!

Psalm 22

1God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.

19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

Of all the places in the Bible that I could turn to, I turned to this chapter. I felt so connected and as if God were speaking to me. I cried and poured out my heart and asked God to provide a way for me out in the world. It was a fearful thing getting out because, as most people might not realize, there was a strange comfort being in prison. All your needs were taken care of, there was structure, routine, work duties, meal times, time in the courtyard, and so on. I was going from something that I knew well to an outside world that had rejected me. None of my friends even wrote me while I was in prison, not to mention my family. I had no idea what I would do after I got out.

There are miracles that are far greater than the parting the Red Sea, greater works than God making the sun stand still, more earth shattering than the Walls of Jericho falling. It is the miracle of human conversion. The greatest miracle that may happen today may be the conversion of one single human soul. In fact, this may be the greatest miracle of all. This happens everyday and it happens when people come to the end of themselves. When all of the self-sufficiency disappears, when all of the pride of life is gone, when there is no one else to turn to but an unseen God. The former alcoholic, the former drug addict, and after prison, the former homeless man had reached the end of his rope. I came to the end of myself. And there was God…waiting all the time.

From Tragedy to Triumph

When I think back on my own life, coming from a broken home, having not even seen a picture of my father, what hope did I ever have? I was dumped by my biological mother. She had several husbands and could not find peace within her own soul. My brother and I were beaten. We were bruised, battered, humiliated. And when I fled the coup of my aunt and uncles, I was mad. Mad at the world and I was ready to pay it back. But I really was only taking it out on myself.

If it could be smoked, I smoked it, if it could be shot up, I did it, if it was drinkable, I drank it, and if it was of value, I stole it. I ended up homeless, impoverished, no family, no money and finally in prison. I had reached the bottom. No one could have been more down….so the only way I could look was up. A person so far down has only one way to go…and that is up. And up I went. Armed only with my prayers and a sense of desperation. How could I get out of this mess I had made of my life? The answer is that God is still in the business of miracles. I am a living example of it.

When one sinner comes to faith in Jesus Christ, there is a renewal or regeneration of the mind. I needed a renewal alright. But what a powerful testimony to the power of God, that someone so far down in the depths of a living hell on earth, could be lifted up so high. Human conversion fights through forces stronger than the forces of gravity or any power of nature. In creation, only physical matter was created and organized. In this spiritual birth (being born again), the carnal mind is regenerated by the Holy Spirit. I was blind but now I could see, I was dead in my sins but now I was a new creation in Jesus Christ. What is the greatest miracle of all? I believe it is the fact that God gives us eternal life through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and then a heart of stone is made unto a heart of flesh by God Himself.

From Disaster to Pastor

I went on to complete two college degrees and today I am working towards a master’s in seminary. I am a blessed father and grandfather and I know it. I make certain and tell my wife and my children every single day that I love them. Today, I have only one left in the nest since my other children have grown and now have their own children. I went from a disaster to a pastor, but believe me, it was not by my own hand. Yes, miracles still happen today and in fact every Christian has gone through a regeneration and a renewal of the mind (Rom 12:1-2). That a former criminal and sinner like me could be forgiven and given the righteousness of Christ is just amazing to me. Second Corinthians 5:21 says that, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Now if that’s not a miracle, what is? This is the kind of a miracle that could only be achieved by God Almighty…the miracle of human conversion. I believe it is the greatest miracle of all.

Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author, freelance writer, and pastor at the Mulvane (KS) Brethren church in Mulvane, Kansas. Graduate work at Moody Bible Institute. His books are inexpensive paperbacks that are theological in nature: “Teaching Children The Gospel/How to Raise Godly Children,“ “Do Babies Go To Heaven?/Why Does God Allow Suffering?,“ "The Great Omission; Reaching the Lost for Christ," and “Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies & the Bible."

Jack has written 775 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Read them in the archive below.

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Hi Jack I just wanted to let you know that I know where you are coming from except my childhood wasn’t quite as bad as yours. I did receive a lot of floggings with whips and jug cords from age 3 to 16 and that caused an irrepairable rift between me and my parents. I just needed to have my own family and at 16 I got myself pregnant to the only man that showed me any kind of love and attention. My parents didn’t agree with it at all but let me have my way. The next 27 years were hell with a few happy times thrown in.
I had a relationship with God but my mental state made it all so hard.
My kids grew up with anger, frustration, mental cruelty and minor bouts of violence. I left my marriage and for the next 4 years my life spiralled out of control with alcohol and men. All I wanted was a man to love me and want me. I became suicidal again and on many occasions just wished God would let me die because all the while I was acting against God and my conscience and that is a devastating thing to live with.
After that God sent a man into my life who accepted me and I remarried. His part in my life was over with in just 4 years and he died in his sleep from a diabetes related heart attack. He went the way he had always wanted to go. I went back into depression and finally through another miracle I found another man and remarried. I still battle my old adam every day but have the Peace I have always craved. God had performed so many miracles in my life as well and I feel just so undeserving of every good thing He gives me because I live with the knowledge of my past and the sins I commit every day, but not the guilt as he took that away for me. I too am now a Grandmother but can vouch for God and his miracles and the saving Grace of his precious innocent Son Jesus Christ and I so long for the day when I will be with Him in Heaven with all the Holy Angels and the Saints, Martyrs, His diciples and Apostles and all true Christians who are enjoying that wonderful Heavenly home. But I live with the knowledge that I still have more to do before my journey ends and only He knows what that is but I have the sure promise from HIm that he will be with me every step of the way.
Kind regards
Debra

Amazing is God not? Your testimony is truly powerful my friend. I must say that if God had not had a purpose for us, we would be most miserable right now, agree? I think that our journeys can help others in the sense that present suffering is yielding in us a temperance like steel has which when tried by the fire is more strong and we can identify with other people’s trials and say, “I know what you mean” or “I understand what you are going thru.” Even in our trials, God was working in us was He not? God bless you and thank you for such a powerful word to us…one of comfort for sure. See you in the Kingdom.

Dear Debra,
Praise be to God my sister. The God we serve is a God of wonders. I am proud to be His Child. Powerful sharing. In most cases God uses the cast outs, the most mocked, those that people of this world call worthless and fruitless. Take that and add God equals to and amazing end product. God has a plan for each and everyone of us. God knows that we are not even close to perfection but He loves us anyway. The reason why God said ” David is a man after His own heart” was because David had a repenting heart. David spoke to God about anything and everything even about his sins. And that is what God wants from us. He wants us to repent before His Throne of Mery and Grace evry second of the day. He wants us to pour our hearts out unto Him and tell me our challenges and our fears and what makes us happy. God wants us to know HIm intimately. That is the key to inner and ertenal peace” the knowledge of God”. I am 29 years of age and received Christ as my personal Saviour last year 2011 in April. My childhood was not as bad as yours and John’s . In fact my childhood was pretty good apart from the fact that I was abused by my cousines and i never told anyone cos I thought If told anyone people will say it was my fault.Even though my mother and granny were always there for me . I felt telling them would disappoint them. A result of that was me being rebellious and stubborn. I would date guys my age just for the fun of it and then dump them but the nicest thing about it was I did not sleep with them. When I look back now I see God’s hand all my life cos some of the guys I dated were gangsters and very nasty but they did not force themselves on me. Thay waited patiently for me to be ready for sex until I dumped them. If God did not have a purpose for my life or if His finger was not pointing at me would I be still here? NO. At the age of 23 I fell inlove and fell pregnant and was scared of what my parents would say and I was not ready of the humilliation thay were going to feel, I aborted my baby boy without the Father knowing, I lied and said to him I took wrong pain killers. A year after that I was pregnant I could not do what I did the first time. my parents were devasted obviously but they did not kill me. I gave birth in the 8th month because I had complications but I gave birth to a healthy but tiny premature baby girl who has my beautiful big eyes. She weighed 2.1. but now she is so big she is 7 years old she is so beautiful. Everyday I thank God for her. Back then I thought God was punishing me for my evil ways. She was born in 2005 and in 2006 I gave birth again to a baby girl who weighed 3.6. Busy bee don’t you think. They is so so beautiful just like her sister. They are my bundle of Joy. The little sister is 6 years now and they adore each other. They look out for each other. God forgave me for all my wrongs when i surrendered to Him. He washed me white as snow. I did not think it was possible but He did. I am glad that they have the same father all of them. When I took a decision last year I also took a vow with God that no sex for me until I get married. The devil did not like that at all. He attacked and I always came out victorious until one night I fell into temptation with the Children’s Dad, and went back on my word , I sinned before God. Aftrewards I felt so dirty and worthless, unfaithful and not true to my vows. That night I betrayed my Heavenly Father and nothing was worse than how I was feeling. I could not believe what I did after all my hard work. This happened this year 2012 in April. I begged God for His forgiveness and I prayed David’s prayer Psalms 51. I repeated verse 10-11. I always pray those words. That night i feel I lost something very precious and valuable and it will take me years to rebuild it. But I know God forgave me for that. And I renewed my Vow with God and this time I’ll stick to it till the end come hell or high waters, I will finish what I started”God help me” I belive its not how you start but how you finish. I want a remarkable ending. People around me know me to be a prayerfull woman who loves and fears God. I always tell people about God every chance I get. How God gives you inner peace and salvation. The woman that Jeremiah 9 : 17 talks about.
Thank you for listening. I wanted to share it with you as I have never shared it with anyone. God bless you all.

This is truly remarkable Nozipho. I am so glad that we are reading so many life-changing testimonies that surely reflect the power of God to change us and redeem us from even the worst circumstances. Thank you Nozipho for adding yours.

Thank you Josh. Truly this “power” part is the power of God at work in me and in others. It was somewhat painful to revisit, yet I see the glory of God in all of this that He took someone who everyone had given up on and even I had given up on, and glorified His name by what HE did..not me. Its all about Him and I hope it gives others hope who are presently struggling.

Bless all of you! WOW What our Heavenly father can do with his people. May the Lord keep blessing you and all of the believers, I am so very happy, and crying at the same time at the testimonies given here on the web site. I love what you all are doing here! Praise your name father, holy holy!

Thank you so much Melisa….yes, all to the glory of God for its not about me and my past but about Him and the future. Holy, holy, holy, indeed. Praise His mighty name. We love your comments…so uplifting, exhorting, and encouraging my friend. Please do come back.

Thank you so much Christine. I appreciate it but truly, all of the glory belongs to God Almighty for without Him doing this in me, it would have all come to nothing. I am glad you stopped by and your comment made me feel that transparency is so important, particularly to people that I shared the gospel with last Saturday in our city. I believe that helps people realize that Christ can set anyone free from anything! Thank you Jesus and thank you too Christine.

Hello Jack, I wept for joy when I read your testimony my brother. God is amazing and we are so blessed to have you here at WCWTK. You have so much from your own personal life that enables you to help others. What a great testimony — not only your life story, but the fact that you are honoring God and using the talent that He has given you to reach so many. I am so privileged to be working along side of you and blessed even more today after you have shared so much of yourself here. Praise the Lord for all He has done and continues to do to you and through you. WOW!

Jack,
I am so thankful that God saved you and is now using you in such a mighty way in His service. I read comments to you from those who read your articles and I see how much respect they show you and how much influence you have in their lives. I just wanted to encourage you and let you know how grateful I am that you are my friend. God bless you Jack…you sure are blessing others.
Yours in Christ,
Robert

Robert, you must truly be related to Barnabas because you are a son of encouragement. I can not express my gratitude to your expression of the love of Christ in your words and also in your articles of faith on Yahoo! Voices and on Examiner. I can not tell you how much you are loved my brother and I do hope at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb of God you will save me a seat next to you. God bless you brother and thank you.

It is amazing to see how God can take a life and mold it into something that brings Him glory. While many who read these words will never spend time in prison, the end result of a life without Christ is the same: eternal punishment in hell.

Your testimony can be an encouragement to many who are struggling with the thought that God would never want them the way they are. God still works miracles and can work in their life too.

So true Michelle. It is a glory to God and to His mighty hand to save where everything looks impossible to our human eyes but to God it is nothing to dredge the bottom dredges of humanity, from whence I came.

Thank you for your testamony Jack I cried most of the way through, I felt amazed and encouraged at the same time that you found Jesus in your brokenness and despair and am thrilled that you’ve now got the peace and happiness so deserve. Bless you.

I am so sorry for what ye all went through. I am quite blessed because I do have a loving family I think.

I apologize if my story is far too long.

I strongly disliked hearing about Christianity during primary school and there were many prayers daily so it provoked me to rebel against it. I was on and off with my faith. The main reason for that was lack of understanding of Christianity and Faith.

In 2008 After many times of hearing my boyfriend say self loathing things and seeing him self harm, over drink and get paranoid etc, I somehow went into the bathroom more than once asking God to help him and weeping a lot. After the breakup I lost my identity, purpose, joy for life and reason to live. Although I doubted the existence of God, I asked him to help me and bring me back, daily. My grieving stopped within a month. Many months later or more I began feeling a strong powerful force over me, like peace, comfort, warm, knock me over, joyful, excitement and grateful etc. I didn’t want to live anymore but didn’t commit suicide because I didn’t want to give my family that responsibility and I was a bit chicken but very close to taking my own life. Thought I could get away with being hit by a car so that my death doesn’t look like it is planned and had thought about jumping out of the top window on the roof of my Mum’s house knowing that I would crack my skull and be gone instantly but felt that was suicide so I didn’t bother.

I got angry at God and doubted him when my father passed away 10 years ago from pancreas cancer and my father told me that he did not believe in a God or after life and that you just go into the ground and into deep sleep. No more. A pastor or victor blessed him before he died.

Dad’s death encouraged me to question death and the meaning of life. I got angry and bitter just by the commandments in the bible and agreed with those who said that hell is a fairytale place used to manipulate and control others and to stop people from thinking themselves and looking after themselves.

I was searching in many places and in many ways for the existence and proof of God because it made sense that there must be evidence and logic for the existence of something or something that is non fiction so it had me believe for long that God from the bible was made up by men.

I created an image of God in my head of someone who doesn’t condemn others, punish others or call them sinners. I also believed that God and Jesus quoting hell was evil, unfair, unjust, unholy, ungodly, manipulative etc and wen from believing God to be a white man to being Jesus to be just energy to just being the make up of the universe.

I went to a tarot reader who taught me about the law of attraction and Karma and told me to avoid feeling emotions of anxiety, worry, sadness, anger and hatred and envy because they are bad for my well-being and that God or the God’s want us only to feel joy, love, excitement and other pleasant feelings.

Next I asked God to reveal himself to me in any way he can so that I have proof of his existence but I still rejected the bible. I couldn’t understand why there are many different religions and teachings of Christ and prophecy. I did a Psychic Development course to bring me closer to God, to get my evidence, to remove the demon faces in my subconsciousness which I saw every time I closed my mind and to overcome my fear of the dark.

On the course I learned about Energy, Who God was according to their believes and was told that I need to stop using my mind, thinking and reading books and listen to other people but instead listen to my heart and trust my intuition so I did and that brought me to faith. Something happened that made me feel really uncomfortable like I was doing the wrong time, that I should leave and have strayed away from Christ. I told the teacher about it but he said it is just fear when I believed it to be a warning or calling from God. I think it was when he spoke about speaking to the dead.

Next I believed The Secret, Law of Attraction and The Power of The subconscious mind or placebo effect which works. The law of attraction defended itself from danger etc by saying that Jesus also spoke about it in the bible and called people God’s. I doubted that then read Conversations with God and doubted that when it objected to Salvation, sin, devil, hell, eternal life, heaven and recommended people to use their psychic abilities of seeing, hearing and feeling and it said for us to trust our feelings and that God did not create the 10 commandments but that he did write out a law not as a commandment but of a guidance through life and to demonstrate what God is like and it said that the devil was made up by Humans and that demons do not exist but I was told otherwise on the psychic development course but this entity was extremely intelligent because it spoke about the universe etc and said that it came from the big bang and created the world and human beings and animals just to give itself a purpose for it’s own existence and glory and that there is no need to praise him but that he loves us endlessly but it told us to say it’s name when we want something etc. It said not to trust the bible 100 percent because most was made up by men and it said by saying God is the God from the bible we have made God into the devil which God is not.

Eventually I read the bible and watched few movies on Jesus. I was very touched when in the passion of Christ saw Jesus reach out to a woman who was on the ground with great compassion and kindness and calmness and got her up off her knees and the gratefulness look and smile on his face while his feet were being washed by Mary and how well he done with the 10 commandments when he was out in the wilderness and Jesus being tortured and crucified which made me grief inside and I felt close to Jesus and saw his sense of humor in the movie.

Finally I went back to reading the bible and realize that God is spirit and has his own laws which we may not approve of or we may fear but he has his reasons so I began to accept that and remember the tears down his face in another movie where the King or High priest confronted Jesus but he walked away in sadness.

I have been trying to compromise and negotiate with God and Jesus for a good while but have decided to give up my sinful lifestyle out of fear of judgement and hell and loneliness and to be like Jesus and because Jesus is persistent in converting non believers and to get them to follow the light and step out of the darkness and that he has no favorites and forgives every sin. I praise him for that

Wow…I praise Him for your powerful testimony. Amy, this too gives glory and credit and honor to God Almighty who for some reason saved us while we were enemies of His. Yet He died for us while we were not even born yet. What can measure such amazing grace and love? Thank you for sharing this testimony and I believe, giving others hope too my friend.

I am being questioned about what it commands in the bible, God, paranormal activity and ghosts etc.

My friend was asking me about what the past over is why there was a plaque and blood of lambs in Rome which I was told by a Christian had something to do with Jesus being crucified and dying for our sins as the lamb but my sister raised her voice at me and said “there were many sacrifices then Amy and she sighed.

Me and my friend discussed Anneliese tapes with his friends and I explained that Annaleies was a very holy person and was believed to have suffered demonic possession but that many believe it is just a mental illness but that Annaleise told her parents that Mary came to her and asked if she wanted to keep the possession to give awareness to others and Annelies accepted but that she was grieving over the death of her sister and blamed herself and fasted. I mentioned also the psychic abilitites and paranormal activity. I said this because it does happen in real life according to many and that Annelies was a real person and she went through all that.

I can’t remember how I got to the bit about the bible but my friend and his friend said “It is obvious that the bible was written by Men, made up. I don’t believe anything that comes out of the bible”. So I told them that the bible is believed by many to be the word of God and that by not believing we aree condemed but my friend said “We don’t have to believe what you believe, you can keep those believes to yourself but I believe that God is not like that and that we choose ourselves how to live our lives”. At that point I said I don’t believe that I believe like many do believe, that God’s way is the only way, it is not about us it is about God’s way and then my friend said God doesn’t like sin so he will condemn those who sin but I said God loves sinners and we all sin but we must not live in sin but my friend said sin is still sin so I said I mean God does not like sexual imorality, worshiping of others God’s or homosexuality. His friend then said “well Jason you and I are both going to hell. I said there is a possibility that bible could be the word of God and that Jesus was divine and that God condems those who are not of spirit who do not believe or repent. He said then that his aunt said that to have friends you must not discuss politics or religion.
Next they both said that I was over the top with my believe, that my way was the only way and that I am very serious, that there is something wrong with me, that it is not good when people take the bible very seriously or hell very seriously that it is not good to be too religious and that he is really concerened about me

I am being questioned about what it commands in the bible, God, paranormal activity and ghosts etc.

My friend was asking me about what the past over is why there was a plaque and blood of lambs in Rome which I was told by a Christian had something to do with Jesus being crucified and dying for our sins as the lamb but my sister raised her voice at me and said “there were many sacrifices then Amy and she sighed.

Me and my friend discussed Anneliese tapes with his friends and I explained that Annaleies was a very holy person and was believed to have suffered demonic possession but that many believe it is just a mental illness but that Annaleise told her parents that Mary came to her and asked if she wanted to keep the possession to give awareness to others and Annelies accepted but that she was grieving over the death of her sister and blamed herself and fasted. I mentioned also the psychic abilitites and paranormal activity. I said this because it does happen in real life according to many and that Annelies was a real person and she went through all that.

I can’t remember how I got to the bit about the bible but my friend and his friend said “It is obvious that the bible was written by Men, made up. I don’t believe anything that comes out of the bible”. So I told them that the bible is believed by many to be the word of God and that by not believing we aree condemed but my friend said “We don’t have to believe what you believe, you can keep those believes to yourself but I believe that God is not like that and that we choose ourselves how to live our lives”. At that point I said I don’t believe that I believe like many do believe, that God’s way is the only way, it is not about us it is about God’s way and then my friend said God doesn’t like sin so he will condemn those who sin but I said God loves sinners and we all sin but we must not live in sin but my friend said sin is still sin so I said I mean God does not like sexual imorality, worshiping of others God’s or homosexuality. His friend then said “well Jason you and I are both going to hell. I said there is a possibility that bible could be the word of God and that Jesus was divine and that God condems those who are not of spirit who do not believe or repent. He said then that his aunt said that to have friends you must not discuss politics or religion.
Next they both said that I was over the top with my believe, that my way was the only way and that I am very serious, that there is something wrong with me, that it is not good when people take the bible very seriously or hell very seriously that it is not good to be too religious and that he is really concerned about me

That’s okay my friend. I know the world hates Christ and the world will throw all kinds of lies and the devil is behind all lies for he is the father of lies as Jesus said.

You said, “It is difficult for me because I am pulled to the side that Jesus is the divine and that his words are mentioned in the bible and he is God and the Jesus did not exist or that Jesus was only a hippy who inspired people and he was crucified. Also there are many debates over evidence, Joseheis and Roma and Greece to do with Christianity.”

Jesus was not a hippy but is the Son of God and God Himself. These “man debates” are of human origin but we can believe God.

You said, “Many argue that Josephus did not write about Jesus being the divine or that Josephus only said that because he was or became a christian or that Josephus does not mention Jesus at all. Many argue about the evidence of God and Jesus from the bible and other sources and demand or request for acurate information which as they put it does not contradict other texts which the believe the bibles and bible passages do and that it must be specific and written at the time of the event.”

Josephus did not know Jesus but knew about Jesus. Just because a human historian didn’t believe Jesus was divine means nothing. Not believing in something does not make it true. We used to believe that the earth was flat, but we were most wrong about that and the world believing the earth was flat did not change the fact that the earth was round, as described in the Bible. What Bible verses contradict each other. People say this as just an excuse so that they can go on sinning. The unbelieving world says the Bible contradicts itself but no one can show us what verses they mean. The Book of Revelation is not written for just a specific time and event for its all about the future (Revelat 20, 21, and 22).

If they won’t believe what someone writes 20-30 years later, who can we believe any of the history books? Did Aristotle exist? Did Columbus? Did Josephus even exist? Did Churchill exist? Time does not make history a myth.

My friends, you will always be called stupid, etc. So what. They spit on, beat on, bloodied him, tore His beard out, thrashed Him, tortured Him and crucified Him. The Bible says that every believer will be persecuted. This should not surprise us.

I was having technology errors and didn’t know that the message went through the first time.

I apologies also if I came across bitter or not open minded the bible being the word of God.

It is difficult for me because I am pulled to the side that Jesus is the divine and that his words are mentioned in the bible and he is God and the Jesus did not exist or that Jesus was only a hippy who inspired people and he was crucified. Also there are many debates over evidence, Joseheis and Roma and Greece to do with Christianity.

Many argue that Josephus did not write about Jesus being the divine or that Josephus only said that because he was or became a christian or that Josephus does not mention Jesus at all. Many argue about the evidence of God and Jesus from the bible and other sources and demand or request for acurate information which as they put it does not contradict other texts which the believe the bibles and bible passages do and that it must be specific and written at the time of the event.

That is a lot to expect and ask of but until then they say they will not hold anything written 20- 30 years plus later or which is contradictory or doesn’t match the text or doesn’t have a connection or and is based mostly or only on opinion, faith, hope, comfort, ones perception or believe.

There is also a debate about which God is the right God because there are so many religions and whether or not there is a God etc.

I am called stupid, naive, illogical, irrational and close minded and too serious for believing in the bible and Jesus Christ our Lord as divine and believing in A God alone and for not believing in Evolution or that we came from apes. They keep saying all we want is evidence which proves it which Christians lacks a lot but that we must not use the bible as evidence because they say it is contradictory, man made, evil, unjust, unholy, a myth, hear say and vile. That is so frustrating but yet we are expected to stand firm til the end, spread the word, warn others of hell for the sake of salvation and keep our faith. Love God with all our heart, mind and strength.

Amy, I believe that Jesus Christ Superstar is a little on the degrading side of Jesus’ deity and treats Him irreverently. On the other hand, The Passion of the Christ is not for young children but it is in my opinion, the most historically accurate account of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and it has become a favorite of mine, above all others. I bought the DVD and every time I see it, I break down and cry and fall on my face, hands, and knees and see just how much my sinfulness cost our Savior. It makes me worship and give thanks to God so much and it glorifies God to me. The “Passion” movie is a A+ in my opinion. Thanks for the question Amy.

The accusation of anti-semitism has plaguedJesus Christ Superstar since its premiere on Broadway in 1971. The lyrics by Tim Rice — which include a chorus of Jews chanting “Crucify him, crucify him” and “this Jesus must die” — place the blame for Jesus’ death squarely on all the Jews, not just the priest Caiaphas. Even if the historical record suggests Caiaphas did denounce Jesus, it also makes it clear that Caiaphas had complex motives. In fact, the Romans were afraid of a Jewish insurrection because of Jesus’ popularity, and Caiaphas was trying to protect the Jewish community as a whole from Roman retribution, which nevertheless occurred some years later.

It’s important to note that Christians also criticized the original show. Their charge was that it was blasphemous given that, among other things, it suggests a sexual relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. But it was the characterization of the Jews that caused the greatest uproar, one that got louder with the release of the film in 1973.

Despite these concerns, there’s no question Jesus Christ Superstar has been an international hit with productions in numerous countries around the world. However, many of those nations have relatively few, if any, Jews and a long history of anti-semitism, so it’s not surprising that their productions have generally been well received.

I believe God’s existence. I have seen God’s arm in my life’s journey. If God did not exist I would not be alive /be who I am today. I am where I am because God loved me so much that HE gave yp His only begotten Son for my inequities and transgressions. Who else can do that for someone thay do not even know. God prunes us with trials so that we may be refined and be pure. Before a piece of gold is refined its ugly but once refined its amazing. With negative people around us who calls us stupid, crazy etc, God is shaping us to be what He wants us to be. God speaks through His Word, through the Holy Spirit and even uses people around you, and even a song to get your attention. I always ask God to make my heart sensitive to His Word and HIs Voice. I always want to be HOT for God I do not want to be lukewarm. God desciplines us in so many ways as He is our Advocate. Most cases we choose not to listen to Him.

Believe me, each and everyone of us on earth has been given a mission to fulfill and it would be bad to die without fulfilling it. It is every believer’s responsibility or duty to preach the Gospel to unbelievers that is the “Greatest Commission” Matthew 16 the last chapter. Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father , the Son and of the HOly Spirit. So we are given the power to do wonders, we were given those powers the second we became the Child of God. We were no longer the people of God. The power is within us but we cannot experience that power without FAITH. We need to believe that we can do anything through Christ who strengthens us. Lets ask God for The Knowledge of Him, His strength, His Boldness, His courage as He is our only Refuge. So that when faced with challenges we may not sell the truth. Lets know our God so that we may answer perfectly when our backs are against the wall that God may be pleased with us.

Thank you so much Jack for such platforms that groom us Christains. Its good to share with fellow Christian so that we may know we are not alone someone experiences or have experienced what you are through that point in time. It is awesome to serve God. Nothing will ever separate me from His Love and devine Favor.

We are Highly Favored Children of God. Be blessed and stay blessed. I love you all so much. And thank you once again for the life changing Testimonies , encouragements and thoughts.

Nozipho, wow…that’s all I can say. You nailed this spot on. Jesus gives us the Great Commission which is an imperative command, 5 times yet only 1 in 20 Christians share their faith actively. What a sin of omission in my opinion. Your theology about being pruned is so biblically sound and I believe that I have learned from you my friend. I thank God for you Nozipho and your passion for the lost and what breaks the heart of God truly breaks your heart as well. If you type in the search box “Evangelism” or “witness” we have several articles on how to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your encouragement and edifying work here Nozipho.

There are many who have actually saw the presence of Jesus and who were healed in many ways and were spoken to etc so maybe God does that to those who don’t read the bible to encourage them to read the bible and to believe.

Is it our duty to preach the gospel to unbelievers?

I was told that we leave that responsibility only to the pastors, vicars, missionaries, popes, bishops, priests and ministers…….

A Catholic nun and Spiritual life coach told me that we must not interpret the words of the bible ourselves that we must seek help from the church and that we are not capable or it is not our place etc to interpret ourselves and that we must trust the words of the church.

What is a Spiritual Life coach? She just prays to lord God, teaches meditation, asks me questions but does not really direct me as such and has asked me to read 1 story from the bible daily and that Jesus has a church and he started a church so certain roles or whatever such as baptism, confirmation and penance etc should be given by the leaders of the church or the church or both and that we must not do it ourselves…..

Yes Amy, Nozipho is correct. Absolutely. I heard from a former Muslim living in the Middle East and he had Jesus appear to him in a dream and he and his wife were drifting down a river and there were those who are trying to hurt them…their fellow Muslims who wanted to attack them. Yesterday, he said after 7 years, he came to saving faith without a witness or a Bible.

Yes, we are commanded to share the gospel of Christ with the lost. the Great Commission which is an imperative command, 5 times yet only 1 in 20 Christians share their faith actively. What a sin of omission in my opinion. It is NOT the responsiblity of just the pastors…but for everyone who believes!

You said, “A Catholic nun and Spiritual life coach told me that we must not interpret the words of the bible ourselves that we must seek help from the church and that we are not capable or it is not our place etc to interpret ourselves and that we must trust the words of the church.” No, we must trust God and the Bible over man or woman and the Holy Spirit teaches us when we read the Bible and the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity. It IS our place and we are made capable by the Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

There is no such thing as a “Spiritual Life” coach but we can have mentors. Timothy had Paul as a mentor for example. You seem like you’re pretty young so you need an older woman of faith who attends church regularly and reads the Bible frequently to mentor you.

She did say to trust God’s word but to trust authorities such as Pastors etc because they are the main followers of Jesus Christ and God but the bible said that there are many false teachers and preachers and that we must not follow the crowd or just accept our leaders words etc.

Sorry for my misunderstanding Amy. I owe you an apology. I agree with what you said and the nun. Indeed, there are many false teachers and preachers out there and not follow the crowd and accept their words. True enough.

Jack, I am called to be an Evangelist. In a few months time I will leave my work and follow my calling. I am miserable where I am (work) everything is falling apart. I am convinced that its time I left work. I won’t lie and say I have no fear, that I’m not scared of moving away from my comfort zone, I am scared to my bones but I know the God that I serve. Since HE is the one who called me, I know that He will provide for me. There was a time when I used to think about my children, what they would be if I left work, how was I going to survive, how was I going to pay rent and buy food, just how will I manage without money? Then the scripture that talks about not worrying about tomorrow played like a record in my mind and that for me was God telling me not to stress about tomorrow as that will not add aday to my life. That I should let the owner of tomorrow take care of His tomorrow, that I should not worry about what to eat, shelter, My GOD will provide.

If I share this with people thay laugh at me, some tell me I’m crazy some do not tell me to my face. Thousands and thousands of people are looking for work but I want to throw it away. I started work in 2006 it was a contract which was renewable. They renewed it for a year again and for 3 years. Last year November I was promoted for a permanent position. Remember the benefits you get when working for government and that is why people say I’m stupid and an irresponsible mother. But in the midst of all that I TRUST MY REDEEMER. I KNOW MY GOD. The one who never lies or go back on HIs Word. The one who has been shielding and guiding me all the way to where I am. Wherever He leads me I will follow.

It is for all of us who are saved to preach the Gospel, to share with people our faith so that they move from darkness and come to the Light. It is our duty. “

Thank you so much Jack, just read the Evangelism training. Its exactly what I want to do, door to door evangelism. A lot of people need what we know. They need the information that we have. They need this light and this salvation. I would see myself in peoples homes sharing with them the good news, in the streets with people around me paying attention. Open Air, Crusades and even in my church telling people about the One and Only Saviour who is worthy of our praise. The Saviour who looks at the heart not the history /past.

Wow !!!!!! what inspiration !!!! I thought my childhood was bad and could hardly wait to get out, but I did go to church, alone. I had to walk most of the time but I didn’t care. Jesus was there and I didn’t fell like he was at my house. I was saved when I was 13 years old and realized Jesus was with me 24/7. After I married at 16, had 3 children, I put myself through Nursing school. It was never a profession I thought I would do, but I realize that God give me the opportunity to tell others about Jesus and salvation, that I would have never had the opportunity to before, and they may not of had an opportunity to hear of his saving grace. God does work in mysterious ways. I divorced my first husband after trying for 23 years and now have been married to a christian man for almost 26 years. God is truly wonderful and I tell everyone every chance I get. Praise His wonderful name . Amen

Connie, your story is truly powerful my friend. This is more evidence that God uses trials and tribulations to work out all things for the good and that this shows that God is working in and and through us though sometimes we are not even aware of it until later. Thank you for sharing your story.

Calvary Greetings Saints,
I do not believe in dreams but this one gives me chills and goose bumps. A fellow christian dreamt he was eating an alligator. As huge as it is he ate it. How do you explain this dream. I can tell its not nice or just a dream, there is something behind it. Can anyone be so kind to explain to me what it means. Should the person be worried or its nothing. I trust your advices Saints and am looking forward to them.
Thank you

Hello Nozipho. I do not believe in dreams so much either but I have heard many that defy explanation and I believe you here my friend. Dreams are hard to explain. I heard one man from a Muslim country tell me that he was drifting down a stream and say his fellow Muslims friends trying to throw rocks at him and then he saw Jesus descend and came to him and seven years later, he came to saving faith in Jesus Christ and later his whole family did. He thought later that the stream was the Holy Spirit taking him to meet Jesus and he had never heard about the gospel until this dream. Many Muslims and even in remote jungles have came to faith by dreams, but this dream my friend, I have no clue to be honest. Perhaps God is trying to speak to him to not be afraid of those things which most people are afraid of. That even nature itself is in subjection to God’s sovereignty and authority and perhaps God has plans to use this man to witness to people in dangerous places or to go into areas that might seem out of the ordinary. I can not tell that there is something behind it, but if dreams motivate us to share the gospel, then we KNOW that something good comes from it. The Great Commission is given to all Christians and Jesus said to go into all the world. Maybe even places where most dare not to tread Nozipho.

Hi Jack,
At the hospital that I worked at , we had people from all over come because of our neuro physicians. It’s amazing how God shows himself to people. So yes, I believe that people from in the jungles , the high mountains regions, and places we would never dream of them hearing about Jesus saving grace, know of his love. I’m so thank that He can make a difference any where in the world and change peoples life. I’m also thankful for our missionaries that dedicate their lives to serving God. I will forever pray for them and their service to God and for those new in their faith. Praise Jesus!!!!!!

How precious this comment was Connie. I know that we can never put God in a box and limit Him Who is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Isn’t our God an awesome God!? I too thank God for our missionaries and the miraculous ways that God still reaches down from heaven to do incredible things to glorify His name. Just read about experience I heard about from a Muslim who I will call “Asad” (not their real name) that Jesus called from a dream they had which shows that God can reach anyone, anywhere on the planet!

[Asad wrote to me] “In my dream Jesus visited me. I was sittingg on His right and my husband on His left and we were sitting on a River of water flowing from Heaven and there were people on the side of the river as we passed them and i asked Him why they were not getting on and he said that they were believers, but they were still trusting things to happen and to be on the flow you had to KNOW in His name that things would happen. I was concerned because as we carried on along the river there were people walking away and alomg other little roads and he SAID that theý did not believe in Him. When i told my husband the dream he SAID that the river represented the Holy Spirit flowing from Heaven. So when things become difficult i remember Him visïting with me in my dream ad that is what fills me with hope and promise. I was with my husbnd for Seven years before I accepted Christ in my life but he stayed with me and prayed that one day i would change. I was more surprised than him when i realised that Jesus changed my heart.

I am not sure how i found this website but i m really happy that i have.”

Jack, thank you for your response and it does make sense. It goes to show that our God is a God of second chances. Our God is a wonderful God. He is Faithful every second and if when you truly trust Him and only Him you’ll never go wrong. I know its difficult not to worry about tomorrow but He instructs us not to because He is the owner of Tomorrow. Tomorrow is His and you never add a day to your life by worrying instead you subtract days from your life and cuae wrincles on your face. Jack and fellow saints I really need your prayers as I am about to quit work and become a full time Evangelist, I feel weak spiritually. I know its going to be along and hard road but atleast I will be doing what I am passionate about and what God has called me for. This might seem crazy to some but as I started telling people about God and that they should trust in Him, that carried on for sometime until the Holy Spirit called said to me” You tell people of how much they should trust in Me, and not worry and not worry about tomorrow, God will take care of tomorrow but you are worrying about what will happen to your children and family when you resign at work, who will take care of them? I asked the Holy Spirit what He meant and H said to me politely, why do I need funeral plans and education plans, to Him that means i do not trust that He will provide when the time comes. So I can’t go around preaching things I do not practice. How are they going to believe that He is Alive and that He is a God that Provides. Right there and then I canceled all my policies and I am trusting Him with all I am and have. As Christians we do not always do what we like but what God expects of us, what is right and just. We do not live as we please but as God instructs us to.

Jack, Jesus does perform miracles today and takes care of us if we just give things over to His hands. He has performed miracles on all 3 of my children. I pray for Jesus to watch over my children and grandchildren everyday and leave it to Him. My daughter use to stop for a peach tea on her way to work everyday at the same store, at the same time. One day she had this feeling that she should wait until she got to work to get her tea. At the exact same time , if she had walked into the store , a deranged husband was there, shot his wife and started shooting the customers. She would have walked into the situation if she had not listened to Jesus telling her not to.
My younger son was in Florida with his best friend at the pool. He was going to go get some money from his room and friend was going to stay by the pool. At the last minute he decided to go with him to their room. My son tripped in the room, threw up his hand when he was falling to break his fall, broke the window, cut an artery and passed out from quickly losing so much blood. If his friend had not decided to go with him and called 911 and applied pressure to the artery , he would have died. They told him that he would lose the fine motor movement in his hand but it is perfect. Another miracle of Jesus.
My oldest son lives almost 2000 miles away from us. He called and told us that the Dr’s had given him less than 6 months to live and he was coming home to tell everyone good-bye.He was dying of liver failure . When he came home, he had all the typical signs of it. He went back and I told him I was going to call our church to put him on our prayer list and all my friends churches. On Christmas Eve that year he called and told me he had something to tell me. I told him I already knew, that he was healed. He said how can you know, the Dr’s just told me. I told him that the Lord had told me.He said the Dr’s asked him what he did since they couldn’t find any traces of liver failure and he told them that the Lord had healed him and they said that’s the only thing that could have done it, that was 20 years ago. This past February Jesus healed him of colon cancer.
About 4 years ago I was coming home one night and stopped at a red light. The light turned green, as clear as anything I have ever heard, a voice said stop and I was alone. Without question I obeyed and stopped. Out of nowhere a car came down the road at a high speed and I would have been hit broadsided on the drivers side if I had gone. I would have been dead. Since Jesus had told me, I didn’t feel shackey or afraid.I was still just as calm as if nothing had happened. God always provides if we ask and then leave it in His hands. I found the hardest part is to let go of it and not be in control, but to give it up. We often say we have faith but we don’t let go, so we don’t have the faith. We still want to control our lives and our decisions, but if you pray and ask Him to help, and truly turn it over to Him he will take care of it. We’re an instant gratification society, we want everything now and it’s hard to let go and let Jesus do it in His time. He will take care of everything. If I had not listened I never would have become an RN. It was not something I ever thought about doing. I would have lost the opportunity to wittiness to so many people and to hear their stories of God’s love. My Mother had such a hard time believing I was a nurse, she said I had such a weak stomach growing up. It’s amazing what God can do when he wants you do for him. All obstacles are removed. We find we can do anything for God when we are saved and love Him first in the world..We just have to let go and have faith. Connie

This is so amazing Connie. I will never limit God. Since Jesus is God, He can do anything at all and at times we are probably not even aware of it. I believe His Holy Angels are given charge over us too of course so I am amazed at how many interventions like these that I have heard of….but I probably shouldn’t be amazed. Is there anything too hard for God? Thank you Connie for sharing these powerful witnesses of God’s sovereign power and grace.

Jack, I often think of how many times God has interceded in our lives that we don’t know about, unless by some stroke of nature we find out. As with my daughter, if I had not known her schedule and the shootings had not been broadcast on the news,her mentioning that a lots of activity was going on as she drove by on her way to work, we would never have known Jesus took care of her again. Those things have made me know that when I pray for Him to watch over them, I don’t have to worry, He will.Connie

Amen Connie. I believe no worry is a sign of trust and faith in Christ. Read these and see why my faith is only as strong as the Object of my faith: John 6:37, John 10:28-29. Now that’s what I’m talking about! 🙂

I sent you an add request on fb, and wrote I felt I knew you prior to seeing this page, as I began reading, I know what I meant to say.

Aren’t we grateful to all those who set us on the path to know Him as He is?

I don’t know what I qualify to be called, a pastor or an evangelist, some call me rebellious others have called me saint and then doubted my intentions.. I laugh, for they dont have a yardstick to measure the gains of my soul. Nothing measures, nothing matters cuz He is leading my life, for I know His eyes are on the sparrow..

Sophia…I did just now connect and we are friends…and since we have the same God we worship, Jesus, isn’t it awesome to be fellow saints together. Let me say none of us are worthy but that’s why His grace is so amazing. Thanks for the comment and being my friend on Facebook.

WOW! Did our Heavenly Father have His loving Arms wrapped tightly around you, Pastor Jack! Your testimony is truly amazing, and I have always loved the fact that you give all praise and glory to God! ALWAYS! YES, that’s as it should be! Amen!
Have read all the above comments, too. Appreciated their sharing their testimonies with all of us. Have you heard from Nozipho recently? How is she doing with her work for God as an evangelist?
Have no real “testimony” as I have always believed in God, His Son, Jesus, His Holy Spirit, since I first learned in Catechism school at 6 yrs. old.
You know about this from an article called, “Are Angels Real?”
When I was 18, living in Washington, D.C., I was on my way back from visiting family & friends in hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My Dad always warned me to NEVER pick up hitch-hikers. Well, onto the turnpike I saw a sailor w/his duffel bag, thinking it would be OK to give him a lift. It’s a 4 hours drive from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. ….About an hour & 1/2 along, as I was trying to pass a huge truck, suddenly this sailor grabbed the wheel! The car went around the front of truck, up onto the embankment, then I was staring at two sets of headlights from oncoming traffic. That’s when I said, “It’s in Your Hands now, Jesus!” Suddenly, and I mean in a flash ’cause I DON’T KNOW how, my car was on the embankment again, with the traffic still passing by. Don’t recall how long we sat in silence, but boy, did I give the sailor a piece of my mind! LOL! He thought I was going to hit the medium strip, that’s why he grabbed the wheel. Had to wait for traffic to slow down so I could turn around and join it. Another miracle, I was at a section of embankment where I could see the traffic of cars far enough to know when to turn around!
Perhaps I was about to do some serious damage, and God used this sailor to intervene? It took me a few years afterwards to even ask myself that question.

Thank you, all you brothers & sisters in Christ for sharing your stories, your testimonies with each other!
Oodles of God’s blessings for you, Pastor Jack, and your family!
Always, in Christ, Jesus….Patty

Thank you so much Patty. You know that this is all about the glory of God in Jesus Christ and nothing about me or what I did but about what He has done. I am still a train wreck and deserve nothing but He gave me everything that is important and eternal…that is life thru His Son, the Great God and to Him be all glory.

Yes, Pastor Jack…I do know that your testimony and the others are ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD IN JESUS CHRIST.

What I don’t understand is…do Christians need to have such low opinions of themselves? As one who suffered horribly with low self-esteem until my late 20’s, I don’t understand you referring to yourself as a “train wreck.”
No, we are NOTHING without GOD. I understand that part. But God does want us to have confidence through Him, right? If He can forget our past, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, “the slate was wiped clean,” oh, don’t know what exactly I’m trying to ask you, Pastor! Oh yes, can’t we stop feeling as we used to feel? Does that make sense?
In Christ, Jesus….Patty

Hi Patty, it’s not that my self-esteem is so low but I recognize that if the great Apostle Paul declared that he is the chief of all sinners and that the Apostle John declares that we are all still sinners (1 John 1:8) then I don’t want to think too highly of myself. I would rather err on the side of humility than too much of myself. Make sense? Yes, the slate is wiped clean but we are still sinners and we deceive ourselves if we say otherwise and actually call God a liar (1 John 1:8, 10) but we are to confess our sins still daily as in the Lord’s Prayer says and John too (1 John 1:9).

Thanks, Pastor Jack! Understand completely! Guess I was taking the “low self-esteem” weirdly. I KNOW I am nothing without God, but would never call myself that, even though I DO repent my sins daily to Jesus. You’re right about us being sinners. I was just saying that through the Grace of God, I do have self-confidence, a GIFT sorely lacking in my early years.
Always, in Christ, Jesus…Patty

Oh, Pastor Jack, being truly a man of God, your words above uplifted me greatly! Thank you, bunches!!! (Though I would never consider myself a “saint.” Yet I realize many of the disciples of Christ did so through their letters in God’s Word. Must be an aftermath of my Catholic upbringing. Their belief is we only become “saints” after we die. Seeing that we become “righteous with God through His Son’s, Jesus, sacrifice on the Cross,” I do understand the reference. Do I have that right, Pastor?)

Didn’t give much of a ‘testimony’ before, just an example of a miracle. Then after reading David Preach’s article, “Ten Tips on Giving a Testimony,” and his reply to me…Do you think I should share with our brothers & sisters in Christ my spiritual journey from when I left the Catholic Church at age 15? Let me know. OK? And thanks so much again, for your encouraging words, Pastor!
Oodles of God’s blessings to you and your family, Pastor Jack!
Always, in Christ, Jesus….Patty

I will be 65 years young on September 26, 2013. Was baptized and raised Catholic. Left the Church when I was 15, ’cause I disagreed with many of the Church’s dogmas, especially the one claiming that the pope was “infallible.” That was nonsense to me ’cause the pope is human, a sinner like the rest of us.
I did NOT stop believing in God, His Son, Jesus, nor The Holy Spirit when I left the Church. Did attend Mass & Confession several times throughout the years, even after I married my hubby, Gary, in his Presbyterian Church in 1974. (We’re celebrating our 39th Wedding Anniversary this coming September 14th. Praise Sweet Jesus!!! God has truly blessed me with a wonderful husband, a God-fearing Christian.) That’s how it is NOW.

In my late teens/early 20’s is when I strayed from God’s Word, His Commands. Frankly, I never studied the Bible, only read through it now and then. (I hadn’t been touched by Jesus’ Holy Spirit, yet.)
I have a bi-polar disorder (caused by a bio-chemical dysfunction in the brain.) Suffered with severe depressions throughout high-school, and most of my life. Was finally diagnosed in early 20’s and eventually put on medicines that did NOT work.
During depressions, I felt abandoned by God. Couldn’t understand why the meds weren’t helping me. Then in 2002, I was put on the medicines, Effexor & Depakote, and for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I WAS TRULY MENTALLY HEALTHY!!!
PRAISE DEAR GOD!!! (I was 54 then, better late than never, right? Hee-Hee!)
For 7 years I enjoyed mental HEALTH. My faith in God was re-newed. (Used to tease Jesus, “What took You so long! Hee-Hee! I know now the answer…God’s Timing, God’s Plan, God’s Will…not ours.)
In 2009, my beautiful Mom went Home to Jesus. Grief turned into a 3 years depression. My hubby, Gary, took over everything. The cooking, laundry, shopping, etc and comforted me through my tears and bewilderment. The shrink I had at the time couldn’t understand why the meds weren’t working anymore, suggested anti-depressants that I had used before & didn’t work. I didn’t take those. (The shrink I have now, Dr. Mandoly, when he learned of the 3 years depression, says there’s a new medicine that might help if it should occur again.)
Now during these 3 years, I did nothing but eat & sleep. Hardly prayed, except to ask Jesus, “Please lift this d….depression. (Excuse the expletive, brothers & sisters, but that IS what I said to Jesus. I know, very unchristian of me.)
Near the end of 3rd year, for whatever reason, I started getting interested in my Facebook page again. And came across the site, “WHAT CHRISTIANS WANT TO KNOW!”
Within a few weeks, depression took a hike and I returned to the mental HEALTH I had during 2002-2009!!! PRAISE GOD!
Through the many articles with Scripture written on WCWTK site, I learned how to read God’s Word, my Bible. And I truly believe THIS WAS THE TIME when JESUS’ HOLY SPIRIT entered my heart, my head, my entire being and soul!!!
Wished I had written down the date, sometime in late January/early February, 2012, I think. One day after reading an article from WCWTK, I started thinking of ALL my sins, realizing I had NEVER taken responsibility for those sins committed during depression.
I started sobbing to Jesus, begging His Forgiveness for my arrogance. (‘Cause I would “blame” the depression, not myself for sinning.) Must have cried almost an hour, I felt such shame, such guilt, for ALL of my sins. Afterwards, I felt Jesus’ loving Arms about my shoulders and KNEW beyond any doubts that I was forgiven. (I will share one sin with you, brothers & sisters. The sin of adultery. But, God HAS FORGIVEN me through His Son, Jesus, whose precious blood was shed on the Cross for us. My hubby, Gary, knew, yet never said a word to me. When I tried to tell him, he would “shh” me or change the subject. He knew ’cause some people told him! And the way Gary continues to love me, I believe he has forgiven me, too. Hope my ‘testimony’ was a blessing to you, brothers & sisters in Christ. Felt compelled to share the one ‘sin.’ Our Heavenly Father, God, through His Son, Jesus, forgives us ALL SINS, except for the sin of blasphemy against The Holy Spirit.)
Just have to share this great news with you, brothers & sisters….Had gained quite a bit of weight during that 3 years depression. As of today, I’ve lost 77 lbs.! Even past my goal weight! PRAISE SWEET JESUS!!! Isn’t our GOD an AWESOME GOD?! His blessings are too bountiful for words!
Hope this ‘testimony’ wasn’t too long. Pastor Jack knows how I ‘ramble on,’ so I tried really hard not to do so here.
God’s blessings be upon all of you, brothers & sisters in Christ!!! Always, your sister in Christ, Jesus….Patty

Patty, this truly glorifies God and the great grace that He has given us who have wept over our sins and repented of them and then believed that He forgives us all our sins (1 John 1:9) and then God sees us as He sees Jesus (2 Cor 5:21). This is perfect. This is what conversion or regeneration is all about that you wept over your sins, you saw your sinfulness, you confessed them to God, and became a new creature in Christ. Wow. Love it. Well done Patty. This is exactly what a testimony is supposed to be. Thank you and I thank God for you.

Pastor Jack. I want to tell you what happened to me.
My mother died this year. She was 105 years old. I have two sisters and a brother, being the oldest my sisters would say I was the favorite, but mom would say “I have no favorites” I also once owned a Christian Book store therefore if there were any questions about religion they would ask me. About 3 days after mom pasted my older sister called me and said that the smell of moms perfume was in her house and wanted me to explain it. I just said to just enjoy it moms probably trying to tell you that she is alright where she is. A week later my younger sister who lives 30 miles away from either of us, came to my house to finalize things, as we sat down at the table she said I have a question for you, The smell of moms perfume has been with me all day, what do you think it means, my oldest sister happened to be there at the time and I said ask your sister, she had the same experience. A few nights later I had a dream,it was my mother, she said “It is pretty here. I have met some of our relatives”. At that time I actually saw figures but their bodies and faces were fogged over so as not to be recognizable but yet I knew exactly who they were. The next morning my wife asked me who I was dreaming about and I said my mom. She said I heard you saying “I love you,I love you,I love you so very much” And she wondered who it was I was dreaming about. In my dream I never remember saying anything but just listening to mom. I am not a Pentacostal ,I am a conservative Baptist. I did not have an explanation for my sisters other then what I told them. Is it possible that we can be reached in dreams after death, if so is it possible they can actually see us from where they are?

Thank you Nelson so much for your comment and question. In the first place, please accept my condolences for the passing of your beloved mother. Truly she is not dead but in a better place. As for the dreams, God never uses this method of communicating with the dead for the dead can not cross back over as in the story of Lazarus and the Rich man. Also, please read this about Can People Communicate with the Dead? at:

This may be God’s way of telling you she is fine and that she will see you again but God condemns in the Bible communicating with the dead. Those who have passed can not see those who are still alive, according to the Bible and again, which the story of Lazarus and the Rich mans shows. Your mother can not reach you after death, nor can anyone else, but God can use dreams to communicate truth to us or try to tell us something using dreams. I hope this helps Nelson.

What a wonderful example of our Lords grace and mercy. I have somewhat the same story. When I hit rock bottom I remembered sitting on my grandmothers lap as a small child while she played the organ and sang: amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see. It ripped my heart out.
God bless you brother. May you continue to abound in the grace and mercy of our Lord and Saviour.

Thank you again sir. My apologies for responding late as I am bi-vocational and have work as a pastor unpaid, work a job, going to seminary, and so I try to keep up the best I can. Have a blessed day and thanks for the encouragement sir.

Hi Pastor Jack its been a long time since we chatted…this is my life now and up to date…really need God as i am in a dark place…feeling horrible about it all, i found out that she had been seeing two other men since February this year, she told me that she had been seeing them. Although we still remain friends i could never be her husband again, i plan to divorce her peacefully. I am also praying that God will give me a new start somewhere else, i feel like Elijah from 1 kings chpt 19, i need that fresh direction from God, need to be re-commissioned and sent, given new direction, vision and purpose, so i pray every day and ask God for his provision, to give what i need to go, to that mountain, where i will meet with God. Where he will give me fresh vision and purpose. As yet i am still waiting, i am praying for finances, round about £25,000 in order to move overseas to serve him. I know it sounds like i am running away but i am not, more a running to something, Abraham set of by faith to a land not sown, and a scripture God gave me (two years ago) Micah 2:10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction., i was being gradually destroyed in my emotions by her continued unfaithfulness, and now i am ready to arise and depart. Just waiting on God to provide, so i can follow him, i do know that i had his calling on my life, from 29 years ago, when i met God whilst at Teen Challenge in South Wales in the UK, and there was prophecies that i was going to be a teacher, and his spirit was going to flow through me as i taught his word. Is it really true? “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? because sometimes i get so fed up of waiting for God, you know when you are on the verge of giving up, but there is and always has been that hope in my heart, sometimes i wonder if God is just a tease, because i pray and i seek and i share the gospel with others, i am not ashamed of him, but still i wait and wait and wait, feeling depressed and just want to give up, but give up for what? So i just carry on day after day waiting for him to do only what he can do, i do not counselling, i just need him, his vision, his will, his direction, his purpose to be fulfilled and then i will be made whole, complete, so please can you pray that this will happen real soon.

Hello Paul. Wow…I see why you want to start afresh and to use your life for expanding the Kingdom. I wish I had you in the church were I am pastor at in Kansas because as A.W. Tozier once said “God cannot use a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply” and your pain is deep indeed. I will pray for just what you want. I can see why this woman will only bring you more pain and not a good situation and since she is unrepentance and has ongoing adultery, you can remarry again some day, although I am sure that is far from your thoughts right now. I almost wished I could go with you. Did you know that the nation that is receiving the second most missionaries in the world is? Its America. We are so steeped in things and pragmatism and t are so many lost here. I pray God puts you where He wants you to be and to provide you with the means my friend and it was so good to hear from you again brother. Please do keep in touch.

thank you my brother, i have been really waiting on the Lord and what A.W. Tozier said reminds me of the psalm which says deep calls to deep, and i also remember a prophecy many years ago where i was told that God was going to break me in order for the life and love of Jesus to flow out from me, like precious perfume,you know it was one of those propecies that you just dont want to hear, but i knew it was from the Lord. Also a few years ago i went to a church asking God to speak to me and the Pastors wife said in front of the church that she had a word from the Lord and the word was for somebody there, God had just laid it on her heart and this was just after i had found out that my wife (soon to be ex) had cheated (the first time i found out), and the word was that God chops down and levels everything to rebuild things the way that he wants them to be rebuilt. So now i the Lord has brought me low in order to bring me completely to himself i wait for His new direction, submitted totally to Him and ready to go where he tells me to go. When i was waiting on the Lord this morning i asked for a word and he gave me this word Isaiah 45 King James Version (KJV) the first half of the chapter…45 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.

After He had spoken i recieved His peace and i am now excited and looking forward to Him working this out in my life.

Powerful testimony. Spoke to my heart. My son is been paroled next week. He served a little over a year at tdcj after he messed up on his probation. I havent seen him since he left. I dol write and email and he calls. I send him prayers and bible verses and he shares bible scriptures that he reads and wants me to read. When released he has to wear moniter. I dont have a car to go pick him up and it tears my heart to think that I won’t be there when he is released and he will have to ride the bus. Fear and worry takes over not knowing how all this parole works. Thinking we will be judged by neighbors and friends. His father left us when he was 2 and has never been in his life. Could you please pray that he will have a safe ride home and that God will allowed his brother to be able to pick him up. Pray for gainful employment and that Gods will be done in his life. He told me when he comes home we will read the word of God together and pray and he wants to be a testimony to others. I know he is scared too and is holding so much in that he needs to release and have inner healing. The enemy has stolen so much from him. Please pray for us. It would mean so much. Your testimony has bought hope to a broken mom. But a mom who has never given up on her son because I have trust in God that my son eddie will not die but live to proclaim God’s word. God Bless.

I will pray for him and you too my friend. I know that prejudice is so bad for those coming out of prison but the truth is, they (like I did) paid for their crimes and so when people judge them, its like they are still having to pay for their crime but God is forgiving. Its too bad that others aren’t. I too was scared when I got out…and thank God for mothers like you who have a heart like Christ and want to save those who are lost. May God richly bless you and Eddie too. I wish I could speak with him in person. The “power” in this “powerful testimony” belongs, like the glory, all to God and Him alone.

I feel its a blessing that I read your testimony. Dont really know how I came to it. I would like to keep in touch and appreciate your prayers. God willing your testimony will touch my sons life and bring him that faith and trust in God he is seeking to live a life in Christ.

I am so glad. I believe honesty and transparency is so important for believers because it gives others hope that there is no life that cannot be turned around for God’s glory. Please do keep in touch. I am subscribed to this article so if you want, add it to your “Add to you Favorites” on your browser and maybe he can comment to me. I am in Southern Kansas so I wish I was closer to you and that I could speak with him face to face.

I happened on your site and really don’t know how I did. But I received such a blessing from reading all the testimonies..Loved reading your testimony and all your follow-ups..Would like to keep hearing from you and your ministry. God bless you richly!

Thank you so much Janice for your kind words. If you like, you can sign up for daily devotionals that I have the privilege of writing every other day on Faith in the News at: http://faithinthenews.com/ This site allows you to comment also and would love to have you added to it. Thank you again.

What a wonderful testimony! As mentioned, there can never be something that can even come close to a human conversion in terms of its importance. It’s the greatest miracle that can ever happen because an individual is delivered from bondage and eternal damnation and transferred to eternal life in Christ.

God is still in the business of restoring people’s life; however, it grieves Him when looking at what the enemy is doing in people’s lives as a result of their constant rebellion to Him while everything needed for them to be able live an abundant and victorious life has already been made readily available through Christ.

Amen my friend…that’s what makes God’s grace so amazing…He delivers us from bondage and certain death by His Son’s precious blood when none of us deserve it and so all of the glory goes deservedly to God and Him alone.

Pastor Jack, Your testimony renewed my belief that Jesus can help each of us no matter what our background was. What God did for you gives me hope He will change me. Pray that I will submit fully to God and reckon my old life to be dead with Him and allow Jesus to live in me as you have done. I will pray that God will work out a way to pay your salary so you don’t have to have another job to pay your bills. If I read the Bible right, I think God would financially bless the members who support you.

Thank you Mr. Christianson. How encouraging you are sir. Thank you. Without Christ, I’d still be behind bars. I appreciate the prayers sir for the help as sometimes I don’t know where the support will come from to pay the bills but I do trust and God thank you for your prayers for financial blessings from God. I really need that and pray for you and I thank God for you brother.

I cannot begin to express the sadness and joy that I felt reading your story. What a wonderful Lord we have in Jesus. Your Articles are VERY inspiring and provide a wealth of knowledge in God’s Holy Word. I have been so inspired by the Lord that I started my own website to try and get the Gospel out there too. Thank you for the inspiration and I ALWAYS look forward to reading your Articles.

Thank you Andy for your encouragement. All glory to God for He alone helped me escape out of the darkness and brought me into the light. Thank you for your words which blessed my heart and I thank God for such godly men of faith such as you my beloved brother in Christ.

Dear Pastor Wellman,
Thank you for your inspiring testimony, it has been a blessing to me. Recently I was sharing with others that people who have been plucked from the muck are the ones who seem to be more passionate about sharing the Gospel. I was questioning myself as to whether people who were brought up in church really have that life altering change, you know, the Damascus road experience, as it seems in most cases, they have to make a break from church and taste the world before making that commitment to God. But it was also heart warming to read David Peach’s testimony…proof that we do not have to venture out into to world, but that one can have a faithful relationship with God from an early age. What happened to your brother? Did he also have an encounter with Jesus. I also notice that you are Pastor of Mulvane (KS) Brethren church in Mulvane, Kansas. What is it like? I attend a Brethren Assembly as well but we have elders only, no pastors. As I was saying you were brought out of darkness into the light and never looked back. How is it that some of us who claimed to have see the light still find ourselves walking in darkness. Is it because we never were truly saved? What if during that time, while in our youth, we did some things like Achan in the book of Joshua, which came back to haunt us much later in life. What do we do after we have asked God’s forgiveness and still feel burdened by the guilt? God bless and thank you for taking the time to read my comment.

Thank you Jay for your wonderful comment and question too. We are part of the old German Mennonite Baptists originating from Germany. Very conservative, Bible-preaching and teaching church. Unfortunately my big brother died in an alcohol-related auto accident. I do not know if he was saved or not. This happened back in the mid-70’s.

Our church uses traditional and contemporary worship, we have Sun school, Weds studies and lots of prayer. I don’t know if we walked out of darkness to “find ourselves” or not or we were never saved in the first place. God alone knows. For those who claim to be in the light but live in darkness, they may hear some tragic words from Jesus someday (Matt 7:21-23) and if they think they are saved, they need to read 1st John chapter 3 to see if that is true or not.

I sent a reply last night but do not know what happened, maybe I forgot to post it. I wanted to thank you for your response to my questions, your gracious words and for including the helpful link as well. May God continue to bless you, your family and also your ministry.

Do accept my apology for being so impatient, Pastor. Why is it we seem to think that God’s servants have nothing to do but just sit around and be available for us broken people. We just need to use the tool you have given us, so please IGNORE my request for your number and by the way, Pastor, I am a female (smile). God bless and do have a great day!

Who am I to stand for God?Who do I think I am to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ!I’ve been there done that went back for 2nds and 3rds and loved it…O how I loved to live in my own pride…My own little world.Just who do I think I am walk into a church and ask for forgiveness when all along its always been about me!!Who am i???I am a child of God!!!Who gives me the write???That would Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour…The Lamb of God…The son of God…The great I am…The Lord of Lords …The King of Kings…He is the one who died for my sins…He is the one was raised FROM THE DEAD…AND HE IS LIVING IN ME TODAY….my brothers and sisters hit that devil in the mouth and stop listening to his lies…God is above all things…He moved Heaven and He’ll to arrive at your heart…but he will not come in on his own…you have to invite him in to your heart..confess with your mouth that he is your Lord and Saviour..and belive in your heart that he was raised from the dead…and you shall be saved!!!!!!!I love you brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus…I do not know who I am talking to but I ask for your prayers…I’ve been aske ed out of the blue to go to prison and talk with some inmates…I am scared to death…I pray that God uses me to his Glory and I pray that my worst fear of being a hindrance to the Gospel will go away and Glory be givin to God almighty…God love you God bless everyone one of you…

Wow Mr. Scott. Please know you have my prayers…our church has a prison ministry and we didn’t know what we were doing to start, so you can do this. God will be with you and that’s just what the gospel is (Matt 25:34-40).

I had no idea that you and I share such a common bond — Time behind bars.

But isn’t God’s method of training strange. My father was a beater, but he was also my one and only earthly father. My mother was always near, and good. And aside from a brief time of consuming much wine during school hours, I had no taste for drugs. In deed, I grew up in a Christian household, married a wonder woman, raised a great family.

So how can it be that we should share the common experience of time behind bars?

It’s all God: Somehow he reaches into the soul of damaged people, plants a seed of faith, and then cashs in on His own schedule.

Bible Answers

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